Regional Aquatics Facilities Study

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What's happening?

The Regional Aquatics Facility Feasibility Study is complete. On January 22, 2022, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) voted unanimously to recommend continuing to next steps in the development of a regional aquatic facility.

At their March 1 Study Session, City Council received a briefing on the feasibility study and provided feedback to continue with next steps.

  • Solidify Partnerships – Solidify commitments from partners.
  • Site Selection - Evaluate a variety of locations based on criteria in the Feasibility Study, select a site and potentially pursue acquisition if it is a site the City does not already own.
  • Funding Strategy - Develop a plan for funding both construction and ongoing operating costs.
  • Governance Agreement – Agree on how partners will work together to manage operations; for example, if the City of Olympia collaborated with the City of Tumwater, who takes on what role for managing staff, finances, etc.

About the project

The City of Olympia hired a consulting team led by Barker Rinker Seacat (BRS), an architectural firm based out of Denver, CO, to complete an aquatic center feasibility study.

Recognizing that the need is greater than Olympia (there are no municipal swimming facilities in Thurston County) the City has partnered with the City of Tumwater and other regional partners to assess the aquatic facility needs. A key stakeholder group, comprised of representatives from local jurisdictions and colleges, school districts, aquatic clubs and interested citizens, was formed to provide input throughout the process.

The community was offered various opportunities to provide feedback on needs and wants specific to aquatics. The study was intended to gain input on a public swimming facility and was not focused on open water, lake, or swim beaches.

On October 28, 2021, the conceptual vision for the Regional Aquatic Facility was presented. The public meeting was hosted over Zoom and recorded. Concept images can be viewed in the gallery to the right. The Feasibility Study report was completed in December 2021.


What's happening?

The Regional Aquatics Facility Feasibility Study is complete. On January 22, 2022, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) voted unanimously to recommend continuing to next steps in the development of a regional aquatic facility.

At their March 1 Study Session, City Council received a briefing on the feasibility study and provided feedback to continue with next steps.

  • Solidify Partnerships – Solidify commitments from partners.
  • Site Selection - Evaluate a variety of locations based on criteria in the Feasibility Study, select a site and potentially pursue acquisition if it is a site the City does not already own.
  • Funding Strategy - Develop a plan for funding both construction and ongoing operating costs.
  • Governance Agreement – Agree on how partners will work together to manage operations; for example, if the City of Olympia collaborated with the City of Tumwater, who takes on what role for managing staff, finances, etc.

About the project

The City of Olympia hired a consulting team led by Barker Rinker Seacat (BRS), an architectural firm based out of Denver, CO, to complete an aquatic center feasibility study.

Recognizing that the need is greater than Olympia (there are no municipal swimming facilities in Thurston County) the City has partnered with the City of Tumwater and other regional partners to assess the aquatic facility needs. A key stakeholder group, comprised of representatives from local jurisdictions and colleges, school districts, aquatic clubs and interested citizens, was formed to provide input throughout the process.

The community was offered various opportunities to provide feedback on needs and wants specific to aquatics. The study was intended to gain input on a public swimming facility and was not focused on open water, lake, or swim beaches.

On October 28, 2021, the conceptual vision for the Regional Aquatic Facility was presented. The public meeting was hosted over Zoom and recorded. Concept images can be viewed in the gallery to the right. The Feasibility Study report was completed in December 2021.


Page last updated: 08 Mar 2022, 02:05 PM